Quarterbacks Matt Brown (Illinois State) and Jamal Jackson (Appalachian State) lead their teams into the second round of the NCAA Division I Football Championship on Saturday, Dec. 1 at Kidd Brewer Stadium.

BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University has received its eighth-straight berth in the NCAA Division I Football Championship and will host Illinois State in the second-round of the 20-team playoff on Saturday, Dec. 1 at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.

For the third year in a row since the NCAA expanded the Division I Championship field to 20 teams in 2010, No. 7 Appalachian State (8-3, 6-2 SoCon) received a first-round bye. The Mountaineers’ eight-straight NCAA Division I Football Championship appearances are good for the fourth-longest streak in the tournament’s 35-year history and is the second-longest active streak, behind New Hampshire’s current string of nine-consecutive playoff berths. Appalachian is a part of the postseason field for the 13th time in 15 years and the 20th time overall.

No. 16 Illinois State (8-3, 5-3 MVC) is making its fourth all-time NCAA Division I Football Championship appearance and its first since 2006. The Redbirds, who tied for third in the Missouri Valley Conference this season, opened the season with five-straight victories, including a 31-14 triumph at NCAA Division I FBS opponent Eastern Michigan, but dropped three of their final six games of the campaign.

Appalachian State and Illinois State have never met on the gridiron. Appalachian is 4-0 all-time versus current members of the Missouri Valley Conference, with all four victories coming in the postseason (Southern Illinois and Northern Iowa in 2005, Youngstown State in 2006 and Western Illinois in 2010).

Tickets for the second-round Appalachian-ISU matchup are on sale now and cost just $25 for adults and $15 for youth (ages 3-12). Tickets can be purchased online by clicking HERE, by phone at (828) 262-2079 or in person at the Appalachian State athletics ticket office, located at the Holmes Center.

Full season-ticket holders’ seats are on hold and available for purchase through the ticket holder’s My App Fan online account at GoASU.com or by phone at (828) 262-2079.

Appalachian State students will be admitted for FREE, as Appalachian athletics will cover the $5 admission charge for all students in attendance. Like regular-season games, Appalachian students will only need to present their student ID at the gate on gameday for free admission.

Also like regular-season games, Appalachian State student guest tickets cost $15 and will go on sale next Sunday (Nov. 25).